The Results Are In: How Often You Change Workplace Passwords

In a recent Refresh Leadership poll, we asked our readers how often they change the passwords on work devices, including computer, mobile phone, apps, etc. And with 49% of the votes, the top response wasn’t all that surprising. Most individuals only change their passwords when they’re told to. The second highest response was “Quarterly” with 24% of the votes, followed by “Monthly” with 12%. The rest of the results are as follows:

  • Every six months – 5%
  • I never change my work passwords – 4%
  • When I’m notified that my account is compromised – 3%
  • Yearly – 1%
  • Weekly – 1%

Of all those who responded, only one person selected the voting option of changing passwords daily.

With cyber security being such a hot topic, we asked respondents a follow-up questing of whether or not their password-protected accounts had ever been hacked. An overwhelming majority of 76% said no, while 24% admitted to having a past security breach.

According to a recent report, 81% of hacking-related breaches were caused by stolen or weak passwords. Moreover, 70% of employees reuse passwords at work, whereas 59% reuse passwords everywhere putting companies at risk for major data breaches.

From millions of dollars lost to damage in reputation, cyber threats can cause lasting financial and social ramifications for a company, so it’s important to protect yourself from hackers and cyber criminals. And it starts with a strong password protection strategy.

Check out these quick password tips to protect you and your company:

  • Create a long and complex password (14 characters or more)
  • Include numbers, symbols, and a mix of capital and lowercase letters
  • Do not use consecutive or predictable numbers (e.g. 777, 1234)
  • Do not use popular phrases or your company name
  • Use different passwords for personal and professional accounts

What are some ways you maintain a safe cyber environment for your company? What tips do you use to create ironclad passwords? Let us know in the comments section below!

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2 Responses to The Results Are In: How Often You Change Workplace Passwords

  1. WES WOODWARD June 18, 2019 at 9:34 am #

    The challenge is creating a password that you remember! I hesitate using password programs like Lastpass because, well, what if the program quits working — and takes all my passwords down with it? Or, worse, what if it gets hacked and access is gained to all my passwords? I don’t see this dilemma going away either. To punch in/out we use an employee ID number and a fingerprint scan. Perhaps the next step is adding to password entry (retina scans?, DNA id?) for computer keyboards.

  2. Kitty June 19, 2019 at 3:37 pm #

    There are various password programs like Dashlane, Lastpass, etc. but, like Wes who responded previously, I’m a skeptic regarding the possibilities of those being hacked too. I have, for years, kept a password-protected Excel spreadsheet with my passwords. I also change my passwords, periodically, and not always at regular intervals, depending on how often I’m using a password. I stopped using the same passwords for anything financial years ago. Just too many breaches. If you use Google, it will also offer to save your passwords on most sites.

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